The Daily Worker Newspaper, February 12, 1925, Page 3

THE DAILY WORKER Page Three SECTION OF THE TRADE UNION EDUCATIONAL LEAGUE MINERS’ DEMAND INTERNATIONAL LABOR UNITY Christopher First to Assert Need We print the following resolution in full, as, without comment it tells its own story: Resolution to the International Trades Union movement in behalf of Amalgamation and world solidar- ity by Local Union No. 2876 U. M. W| of A. Christopher, Ill, Feb. 4, 1925. Whereas, International unity of la- bor has now .become imperative to safeguard the interest of the workers of the world to protect them from the ravages of imperialism, and amalga- mation of the many crafts in the var- {ous industries in the United States, is the desire and the demand of the rank and file of American labor, and Whereas, the voice of internation] labor has sent thé clarion call for unity around the globe, calling upon the workers of the British Federation of Trades Unions, the Red Internation- al of Labor Unions, the American Fed- eration of Labor, and all other inter- national unions and federations to im- mediately affiliate and co-operate in one international federation of all la- bor thruout the world, and such as Red International of Labor Unions, or the Amsterdam International, prefer- ably the former, on behalf of the out- raged workers of the world who are being ground down by international capitalism in the form of Dawes plans and similar schemes, and Whereas, the statement made in the convention of the American Federa- tion of Labor at El Paso, Texas, by one so-called leader “that foreign la- bor shall get no foothold in economic principles or aspirations; is not the decision or the wishes of American la- bor, and is not in harmony with the principle of international unity, but is the opposite of the wishes of Ameri- can labor, or the rank and file there- of, and such statement in connection with American labor is characteristic of the bankruptcy of American lead- ership and proves to the world its trai- torous nature and absolute ignorance of the principle of unionism and its es sential revolutionary mission, and such statement is in line with the hopes and aspirations of American capitalists and imperialists, and Whereas, International unity is, and must be, the only economic power to solidify the revolutionary aspirations of labor, whose true mission is a revo- lutionary change of the present econ- omic system, and Whereas, the American Federation of Labor, true to its traitorous policy, “betraying the workers,” is attempting to re-enter the Amsterdam Internation- al on its own terms, which are as fol- lows: First, the prevention of trade union unity internationally; second, the full support of the slave plan of Dawes and American bankers and im- perialists; third, a drive against Com- munists and the left wing in the in- ternational labor movement; fourth, the acceptance of class collaboration and the annihilation of amalgamation, and Whereas, the traitorous policy of the labor bureaucracy must be closely exmanined by the workers of the world, “particularly the policies of the so-called reformist element,” such as the MacDonald type, who betrayed and shot down the working slaves of In- diay and the Gompers and. Woll type who sanctioned and approved the same in South America, at the behest of American imperialists, and Whereas, Wall Street is attempting to reenter the international labor movement to throttle the aspirations of labor thru the misleaders of the American Federation of Labor at the forthcoming convention of the Amster- dam International and other Buropean conyenions, therefore be it Resolved, that we call upon all the workers of all nations to repudiate the Dawes plan of slavery in Europe for the benefit of American imperialists, which means slavery and starvation for the people of Germapy, and the forerunner of like plans to be saddled on the backs of the workers of the world, “witness American imperialism in South America,” and be it further Resolved, that the actions of bureau- cracy at the late convention of the American Federation of Labor be, and is hereby repudiated in its entirety as slanderous and traitorous to the possibilities of International labor uni- ty and deserving of the contempt and scorn of all workers thruout the world who have the merest scintilla of decency in their makeup, and be it further Resolved, that a copy of this resolu- tion be sent to The Illinois Miner, U. M. W. of A. Journal, The DAILY WORKER, The Daily Herald, London, Pngland, and be it further Resolved that we request that all labor papers thruout the world to copy and publish the above resolution, Committee on resolution, Alex. Reid, Chas. Reid. Leon (Gremling, President. : Bie Johnson, Roo, Seoretary, \ WHAT IS WRONG IN THE COAL MINING INDUSTRY AND THE WAY OUT FOR THE MINERS By Freeman Thompson and John Watt (There is great unemployment and consequent suffering among the union miners in the bituminous coal fields. At the conference with the operators’ association held in. Jacksonville, Florida, last year when a three-year agreement was signed by the officials of the United Mine Workers of America, John L. Lewis agreed with the operators that the Industry must be “deflated.” He accepted the operators’ scheme of starving out some 200,000 miners. This was his solution of the miners’ problem, i Freeman Thompson, president of Sub-district 4, of District 12, state of Iilinois, and John J. Watt, secretary, have a different view of the problem. spent their lives digging coal. They explode several of the pet theories tionary officials and set forth the industry. The following series of articles They take issue with this plan of driving out men who have analyze conditions in the coal fields, of the coal operators and the reac- left wing program for the mining contain a wealth of material dealing with technical but highly interesting facts having a vital bearing on the subject as well as a militant program.—Ed. Note.) Article Il. And Finally Fact (E) “The rapid growth of output of mines:” About twelve years ago there was only one 4,000 ton a day mine in Illi- nois, and it was located at Living- ston, Illinois, but today we see mines hoisting every day for a month’s per- iod, over 7,000 tons per day. At Zeig- ler during the month of October, 1924, a monthly production of 189,240 tons were mined, making a daily average of 7,008 tons. And often we are ad- vised of records being smashed in our own immediate vicinity, just recently the Peabody mines reported breaking previous hoist records of coal. And records that have been made will be broken in the future by mines that have not as yet been fully developed, as there are mines now under the course of development that intend to hoist between 10,000 and 12,000 tons per day. So you see that we will not need so many mines as we have now when these mines are fully developed if we maintain or allow them the right of an 8-hour hoist day. Coal Surplus Another interesting factor of why the mines are not working full time now is the amount of coal, surplus coal that is on top, the last figuers we have is taken from a report of the National Association of Purchasing Agents, and that report shows that on November 1, 1924, there was a°66 days ‘supply on top or about 77,754,068stons, This amount they claim is stored by industrial users in the United States and Canada, that amount is approxim- ately one year production of all the mines in Illinois. In fact it is more than we produced the last coal’ year as reports show that 73,308,655 tons were mined the last coal year. No doubt that the surplus amount of coal now stored on top is greater than it was on November 1, 1924. Gigantic Problem All of the above information has been given to show the gigantic prob- lem the mine workers are confronted with. And the mine workers problem is the same problem that many other workers in other crafts are now facing and the facts are now developed that the workefs in this age can supply in abundance all the commodities and necessities that goes to make human progress, in less than four hours a day. * Many of our mine workers, like workers in the steel and textile and clothing industries, have been idle for months, unable to find a master to work. Many who are lucky enough to find a job also finds the mines so crowded that his wages are less than the so-called “war time wages” and come near the “pre-war time wages.” The Perennial Question. What is the solution to it? That is being asked on every hand with few coming out with a permanent solu- tion. After reviewing all the things quoted above, if we keep on in the same rut that we are in now with half of our membership unemployed, with the other half eking out a bare existance that are employed, and as machinery develops, less and less workers employed, what must the workers do, those who are willing to work and cannot find it, and those em- ployed who cannot make a decent liv- ing? Left Wing Answers The answer as we see it is, first to demand and secure a shorter work day so that we may take care of, even if be in a paltry way, those workers who are out of work, secondly demand the social ownership of the industries from which our lives depend and man- aged by those who toil in them so that goods that are produced in com- mon may be used in common by those who have produced the same, This must come about eventually, because every thinking man and wo- man knows that less and less work- ers can be used in industry from now on, and the time is coming when there will be so many unemployed that they will be forced to act whether they want to or not, Necessity will force them to do it, “Surplus” of Workers. You may say that there are too many miners and too many mines, that there ate too many farmers and too many farms, that there are too PERI SRA BSE SSSA IE acct MP morrow there will be a great many more added to this list of too many workers and what then? Shall we kill the surplus worker, or shall we say to him: “Brother, your problem of unemployment today will be our problem tomorrow, so there- fore let’s get together and solve it the interest of both we must unite again and serve notice on these own- ers of the industries that our very ex- istance depends upon the industry, the lives of ourselves, our wives and fa- milies depend upon the industries, and because you in your desire to make profits are unable to employ us there is only one thing left for us, the work- ers, the overwhelming majority to do, and that is to nationalize, to own and establish workers control of these in- dustries on which our existence de- pends. In closing we have this word of ad- vice for the rank and file: Be not deceived by this vicious propaganda which is being spread by the enemies of labor, demanding the lowering of wages ‘in order to compete with the organized fields, We say if you should immediately agree to go back to the pre-war wage scale, that ,the wage scale in the non-union field would be forth- with lowered to suit marketing con- ditions, and therefore, you would not get one hour more of work than what you now get. “No lowering of the wage scale is our slogan.” The Only Solution This is the only solution that we can see to our problems, we who create everything and are‘ denied it after creating it by a few individuals interested in their own profit making schemes. So long as we allow this to continue, so long will there be unem- ployment and poverty, because it is now being fully demonstrated before our eyes that industry cannot hire the workers and will be unable to hire as many as are now hired in the future, so if we value our lives, we must in turn own those things on which our lives depend, so that life may be ex- tended and maintained. That is the ultimate goal that must be attained, other things such as shorter working hours and weeks, out of work doles or insurance are only palliatives, but may be necessary to bring this about. When you buy, get an “Ad” for the DAILY WORKER. Daily Worker His Inspiration, Also His Medicine To the DAILY WORKER:—I have 801 to thank for the DAILY wi R. It is the best paper I ever saw. I am sorry that I can’t help to support a paper like that. I have been sick for two years and unable to work for 14 months. No money to help myself with and in bed most of the time. I was in bed when the first DAILY WORKER came. It was a shock—I could not believe my eyes, I got out of bed and walked the floor for a while. I felt better and have felt better ever since and I am now de- termined to get well. Persecuted by Hutcheson Well, I see Hucheson, the “czar”, as you dub him, is going on with the good work, kicking out the reds, I was the first one to go from Local 1693. Millrights took my card away on a motion. Nor trial nor the sem- blance of one. I told them then there would be more later. I joined Local 62 and it was not long before they had to take my card or forfeit their charter. Hutcheson is to blame for all my troubles, . Appeal to Carpenters Comrades, don’t let him do the same to you. Fight! You carpenters everyone of you! Hutcheson is not a man, he is a tool for the bosses. You can get rid of him. Just be men and fight! I hope to get well and help in the fight to rid ourselves of all the tools of our masters. Yours for Communism, F. M. Goodell, Uragie Hope, Tenn. Material sent in for the T. U. E. L. scotion nt Sppearng in this page will tomorrow's issue, once and for all time,” therefore for! STEEL TRADE BOOMING, BUT UNION LOSES Reactittiary. Officials Kill Amalgamated ‘ McDONALD, Ohio. — The Byers company, Girard, Ohio, makers of wrought’ iron pipe, have increased their capital by several million dollars, planning expansion of their business, yet in the face of this, the puddlers employed in their mills have suffered several reductions in their tonnage rates without;even a word of protest coming from the reactionary official- dom now iin control of the Amal- gamated Association of Iron, Steel and Tin Workers headed by M. F. Tighe, who has been busy of late in Mahon- ing valley addressing lodges on such subjects as “Co-operation.” The rank and file have concluded that the brand of “Co-operation” that results in reductions of wage scales and continued decreased in member- ship should be thrown on the scrap heap along with its sponsors. Wages Reduced As Union Weakens Union mills are rapidly entering non-union ranks and the introduction of modernized machines in the steel industry is throwing thousands of skilled workers out of employment or into other trades. The luke warm policy of “adjusting” wages thru so- called bi-monthly settlements with agents of the steel barons and some fossilized representative of the union usually results in WAGE REDUC- TIONS. © This policy of allowing the steel barons to Name their own price, a so. called sliding scale, is a relic of ye olden days and it is agreed by all pro- gressives that the A. A. of I. S. & T. W. must ORGANIZE AND ACT or pass off the stage of trade unionism. This Union Can Organize This union is the logical one to bring about the complete organization of the unorganized steel workers yet not one organization meeting has been held amongst the unorganized, and along with this fact the officialdom has entirely ignored the organization of mills where workers are employed who are elegible to affiliate with the A. A. of Io & T. W. Wm. Z.: , leader of the great steel strike, has dealt with the official- dom of the Al A. of I. 8S. & T. W. in his great book on the Steel Strike. The same leadership exists, and a strong progressive movement which is now surging through the union is the only hopé of saving the union from going on the rocks, a total wreck. There is no need for the steel work- ers to have false hopes injected by speeches from their reactionary offi- cialdom. The facts stare them in the face and the cries of ‘RED’ coming from M. F. Tighe & Co. do not alter thé sftuation. The facts are that the progressive movement is a rank and file demonstration against the reac- tionary leadership now controlling the union. The recent elections although claimed by the officialdom as their victory, showed that only by a nar- row margin of a few hundred votes did most of the officialdom get reelec- ted. Turn Out for April Convention In April, in the very capitol of the Empire of Steel, known as Pittsburgh, Pa. the A. A. of . S. & T. W. will hold its national convention and for this reason the officialdom and their henchmen are scampering round the country making speches on “CO- OPERATION”, with Tighe using his old rallying cry used during the last election “GET OUT THE VOTE— THE REDS ARE ON THE JOB.” This time the officialdom are yelling “GET OUT THE DELEGATES—THE REDS ARE ON THE JOB.” With a rapidly decreasing member- ship, semi-bankrupt treasury, with its membership compelled to accept con- tinued reductions in tonnage rates, with a prestige once the pride of the American labor movement now faded into a mere shadow of its form- er self, with a trail of lost strikes and rapidly encircling non-union mills, with the growing tramp of unemploy- ed steel workers ever increasing and with their fellow workers in the mills without any union or pfesent hope, the A. A. of I. S. & T. W. marches on to its next convention with a blow- hard reactionary officialdom blaming all their ifls on the REDS. Another Jolt for Lewis Comes in from West Virginia So many returns on the miners’ election have come into the T. U. B. L. in favor of the progressive miners’ slate that Lewis’ ingenuity for steal- ing elections must have been taxed to the limit, Here is another one from local 2122 of Pursglov, W. Va. For Presidént: John L. Lewis, 80; George Voyzéy, 168, For Vicepfesident: 80; Arley Staples, 168. For Secretary-Treas.: Wm, Green, 92; Joe, Nearing, 160, Get your eee Phil Murray, Red Revel eon | CENTRAL ASKED MINERS TO GIVE UP 50 DISTRICT LABOR UNIONS OF EAST ST. LOUIS MAKE TWO EXCELLENT MOTIONS PCT, OF WAGES} cnar or. covis ros 0 Operators eee by Farrington WEST FRANKFORT, Ill. — The Southern Gem Coal Co., possessing mines in West Frankfort, Sesser and Pinkneyville went bankrupt without paying the miners their wages for the last month. Taxes also have not been paid for the last three years. Several attempts, made by the miners, to set the mine in West Frank- fort in operation, failed. The miners even went so far as to allow the com- pany to run the mine and pay the back wages in small installments. About a month ago the committee men of the West Frankfort mine re- ceived a telegram from Frank Far- rington which read as follows: Farrington’s Proposal. “A certain syndicate proposes to buy the West Mine and the mine in Sesser, Ill., provided the men agree to take 50 per cent of their wages and withdraw all further claims for a fur- ther pay of their back wages. “Please call a meeting and have the men vote on theg matter. But only those holding statements are en- titled to a vote. See me after the meeting and‘inform me as to the re- sults of the meeting.” Farrington, Agent of Capita!. Farrington held a meeting on that particular night in West Frankfort. Here we see Frank Farrington acting as an agent of a bunch of capitalist profit hawks, cheating the men out of their hard earned wages. Why didn’t he ask the stockholders to be satisfied with 50 per cent of their holdings? But no, that would be unfair to the fich stockholders! A Violation of Agreement. Well knowing that an acceptance of the proposal would be a violation of the agreements, and well that an acceptance would be nothing less than an invitation to all coal op- eratiors to do the same thing as the Southern Gem Coal Co., had done, the “anion man,” Frank Farrington, has the nerve to lay a ‘proposal of this kind before the men. EASTERN knowing | The Central Labor Union of East St. Louis appeals to the Illinois legisla- ture to ratify the child labor amendment and kill the state con- stabulary bill An article in the West Fra Daily American brings the news that all creditors of the bankrupt mines voted to accept an offer of a certain coal company to buy the West mine and also the mine in Sesser. So if there is anything in the way of pay- ing the miners their back wages, its only the stockholders. There is the job selling case in the hands of Frank Farrington. There are many coal mines in Franklin county waiting for a decision in this case. The men want action. Milwaukee A. C. W. Shows Old Spirit The Amalgamated Clothing Work- ers of Milwaukee are keeping alive the fighting spirit that built the or- ganization. Class solidarity is their slogan. At their last meeting they endorsed the fight against the criminal syndicalist laws by electing three delegates to the local Labor Defense Council. They also bought 150 tickets for the movie picture, “The Beauty and the Bolshevik,” which is being run jointly by the local Defense Coun- cil and the International Workers’ Aid. Milwaukee Militant Workers, Turn Out! The next meeting of the local gen- eral group of the T. U. BE. L. of Mil- waukee, Wisc., will take place Wed- nesday, Feb. 11th at Miller Hall, cor- ner of 8th and State streets. The trade unions this year have increased ‘the ‘number of delegates to the Federated Trades Council. The influence of the T. U. EB. L. is being felt more every day, which’ has shown itself recently in a number of national union elec- tions and in the fight against the reactionary C. P. P. A. All militants are welcome, so be sure and attend this important meeting. DISTRICT TREACHERY IN THE TEXTILE UNIONS’ RANKS Strikes Betrayed by Disguised Foes Thomas F. MacMahon, president of the United Textile Workers, is pro- testing against federal “conciliator,” Charles G. Wood, because he repre- sented the employes instead of the }workers by inducing the Maverick mill strikers to return to work pend- ing a decision on their case. Wood turned the same trick for the Walton Watch company. This, of course, is to be expected. What isn't expected is that such “leaders” as this same McMahon, head of the union, betrays the whole textile group of workers by craft separation and refusal to call a general strike. Conciliation is the bosses’ method of putting over wage cuts. The only way to successfully fight against wage cuts is to broaden the strike until it covers the entire industry. The T. U. BE. L. program of the united front and the broadening out of the strike was responsible for the gains made in the Paterson silk work- ers’ strike. This is the only method by which the textile workers can fight successfully the slashing of wages that is taking place piecemeal in the textile industry. This is the method McMahon should, but does not, use. Due to the activities of the mili- tants the strike front is broadening out, but it is far from being satisfac- tory. The workers show 4 willing- ness to resist these wage cuts which average from 10 per cent to 22% per cent. At present there are strikes in Utica, New York, Pawtucket, R. 1, Mall River, Mass., and in many other mills. Readers should consult the current news columns of the DAILY WORKER for daily accounts of this great battle. The T. U. B. L. has called united front conferences which are helping to unite the workers fer common ac- tion, This activity should be inten- sified, Consens leads to defeat, while mass Working class action is the only road thiit"leads to Pittsburgh Machinists Like Left Wing Men Machinist Lodge 536, at their meet- ing held January 28, the entire left wing was nominated by unanimous vote. This completes the nominations in the Pittsburgh district. There are a number of other locals listed in the roster, but they never meet and are left overs from the railroad strike. The T. U. E. L. militants have been on the job, but were not able to get the endorsement of all the locals. Many real progressives voted for the Anderson slate. However, one thing was clear in this district, no one wanted Johnston. He did not receive a single nomination. Patronize our advertisers. T. U.E. L. Performs One of Those Acts . Others All Forget The T. U. B. L. militants of New Haven, Conn., have started a drive to organize the laundry drivers. They held the first organizing meeting on Feb. 6. PRINTING TRADES COMMITTEE WILL ISSUE ORGAN At the last meeting of the National Committee for Amalgamation of the Printing Trades Unions it was decid- ed to enlarge the committee by add- ing J. B. Wirkkula and Tom Bell, in order to assure an increase in activity of the national committee. Victor Zokaitos, editor of the Amal- gamationist, organ of the committee, resigned his post owing to bad health. His position was filled by the appoint- ment of Tom Bell. J. B, Wirkkula was appointed secretary treasurer. Discussion of the question of the official organ resulted in the appoint- ment of a committee to manage the business end of the paper consisting of George Struve, H. Schuessler and J. B. Wirkkula. The next issue of the Amalgamationist will appear the first week in March. Those desirous of building the left wing forces in the printing trades un- ions are invited to get in touch with the national committee at the follow- ing address: Secretary, National Com- mittee for Amalgamation of Printing Trades Unions, 1113 W. Washington Blvd., Chicago, Ill, Says, “Tell About Your Job.” We Say, “Go Ahead—Shoot!”* You restaurant and food workers, what ails you all? Are you all muscle- bound or pencil-shy or has your trouble another color? All winter now, with jobs in most industries quite scarce, there has been a steady demand for . dishwashers; cooks, and waters. Why is this? I don’t know why, but I would lika to, and I wish the dishwashers would tell us of what goes on behind the swingdoors. Then, you waiters, in contact with masses of people daily, how goes life’s battle with you? It is YOU who must tell us of your work, if we are ever to know, and the great and growing family of the DAILY WORKER are all set to hear from you. Let us workers, who don’t know much about theory, and haven’t much education anyway, at least tell ABOUT OUR JOB. Fraternally, H. C. Fillmore. Cuban Tobacco | Workers to Hold April Congress HAVANA, Cuba, Feb. 8.—According to the labor paper Justicia, the cen- tral committeé of the National Feder- ation of Tobacco Workers of Cuba, will convoke a congress in the city of Havana during the coming April. The purposes of the congress will be to bring within the federation, those organizations outside of it at present and forward generally the in- terests of the tobacco workers, most of whom are cigar makers. These Cuban cigar makers are, the account says, extremely endangered in their own fights, by the state of disorganization existing among the ct- gar makers of Tampa; Florida. The coming congress will have on ita agenda, the subject of the Tampa cigar makers. Making Proper Use of Union Offices The officials of the Joliet Central Labor Council, lately elected upon a Progressive program, have started their official work in the proper di- rection. They are supporting the de- mand of the Joliet city fire fighters for’a wage increase. A committee from.the Central Labor Council is having conferences with the City Com- missioner in support of the wage de- mand. The fire fighters receive the miserable wage of $128 per month, LEFT WING MINERS’ GREAT ADVANCE AGAINST BIG ODDS The official vote totals just issued by John L. Lewis, of the U. M. W. of A. in the national election of that organization shows a won- derful advance of the left wing forces. The vote itself, without any comment, should be an incentive to every struggling left wing group. But when one considers that Lewis had arbitrarily removed by expulsion and other means every notionally known miner, whose very name would ha date, then the been a clarion calt for action, from being a candi- sults of the election becomes remarkable, and shows the strong revolutionary tendency that runs thru the rank and file of the miners’ union, In spite of the removal of Howat, McLachlan, Myerscough and MacDonald as possible candidates, the flagrant stealing of votes in locals officially controlled by the Lewis forces, the voting of locals (Blue Sky) lon ince out of existence, the long unemployment of the miners that made it impossible to send out a national speaker, the poorly organized state of the left wing nationally, it being able only to print 65,000 campaign leaflets, this remarkable showing of the left wing in the miners’ union means that the skids are well greased which will carry Lewis and his crooked administration into oblivion. For President: : Vice-president: Philip Murray, John L. Lewis, Merregiel Gearge Voyzey, 62,843. 126,800 } Arley Staples, 66,038,